
NorE.—Physical beauty fades with the passing of youth. It is a gift of God
to be recognized for His glory; nevertheless, it is but a bodily attribute and may
have no corresponding mental, moral, or spiritual merit. God designed that
marriage should be a lifetime companionship, and each party to the union
should consider whether or not there are enduring traits that will make for
happiness and success in the home life. Is a woman both beautiful and godly?
Very well. But she will have many temptations that do not beset the path
of
one with less physical loveliness, but whose countenance bears the beautyOf
inward righteousness. Give careful attention to the fact that the proverbs ar0
finished with the story of this wonderful woman. In it there is no encourages-
ment for indolence, slovenliness, irritability, or extravagance, nor does it teach
that a woman is freed from the responsibility to make herself neat and at-,
tractive.
"No literature of any age offers a finer ideal of the wife and mother than
this Hebrew poem written not less than 2,500 years ago," writes Dr. Cunning..
ham Geikie. But the same qualities of character, the same womanly virtues, the
same capabilities must in every age be the cardinal elements of woman's power,
and of woman's worth. Now as then the world bows and will ever bow before
the stainless scepter of true womanhood. With this beautiful picture of
womanly excellence, the book of Proverbs closes.
II
INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO THE STUDY
OF ECCLESIASTES
"The universal consent of antiquity attributed the authorship of Ecclesi-
astes to Solomon. The title assumed by the writer, 'Son of David, King in
Jerusalem,' was considered sufficient warrant for the assertion, and no suspicion
of its uncertainty ever crossed the minds of commentators and readers from
primitive to medieval times. Whenever the book is referred to, it is always
noted as a work of Solomon. The Greek and Latin Fathers alike agree in
this matter. The four Gregories, Athanasius, Ambrose, Jerome, Theodoret,
Olympiodorus, Augustine, and others, are here of one consent."—The
Pulpit
Commentary,
Ecclesiastes, page ii.
The writings of Ellen G. White credit the authorship of Ecclesiastes to
Solomon.
"The discipline of David's early experience was lacking in that of Solomon.
In circumstances, in character, and in life, he seemed favored above all others.
Noble in youth, noble in manhood, the beloved of his God, Solomon entered
on a reign that gave high promise of prosperity and honor. Nations marveled
at the knowledge and insight of the man to whom God had given wisdom. But
the pride of prosperity brought separation from God. . .
"By his own bitter experience, Solomon learned the emptiness of a life that
seeks in earthly things its highest good. . . . In his later years, turning wearied
and thirsting from earth's broken cisterns, Solomon returned to drink at the
fountain of life. The history of his wasted years, with their lessons of warning,
he by the Spirit of inspiration recorded for after generations. And thus, al-
though the seed of his sowing was reaped by his people in harvests of evil, the
lifework of Solomon was not wholly lost. For him at last the discipline of
suffering accomplished its
work."—Education,
pages 152-154.
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